Patent · US Active

Methods of dry stripping boron-carbon films

US9299581B2 · kind B2 · utility

7Cited by
12References
8Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateApr 26, 2012
Grant dateMar 29, 2016
Priority date
Expiry dateDec 15, 2034

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH01L21/31144
  • WIPO fieldSemiconductors
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

Embodiments of the invention generally relate to methods of dry stripping boron-carbon films. In one embodiment, alternating plasmas of hydrogen and oxygen are used to remove a boron-carbon film. In another embodiment, co-flowed oxygen and hydrogen plasma is used to remove a boron-carbon containing film. A nitrous oxide plasma may be used in addition to or as an alternative to either of the above oxygen plasmas. In another embodiment, a plasma generated from water vapor is used to remove a boron-carbon film. The boron-carbon removal processes may also include an optional polymer removal process prior to removal of the boron-carbon films. The polymer removal process includes exposing the boron-carbon film to NF3 to remove from the surface of the boron-carbon film any carbon-based polymers generated during a substrate etching process.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.